I really haven’t settled on a skincare regimen or particular brand, but if I had to pick, it would be bareMinerals, because I really love the daytime moisturizer (both with and without SPF) as well as the evening cream. They work well, and they’re affordable, as far as high-end skincare goes.

Get Updates by Email

61 Comments

Discussion and debate are highly encouraged, and we expect community members to participate respectfully. When asking a question, please check the post above for information regarding pricing, availability, dupes, and availability, and keep discussion on-topic. If you have general feedback, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us.

Comments that include advertisements, self-promotion, insults, etc. may be in violation of our comment policy and subject to deletion. Please see our comment policy for more information.

That’s actually a really tough choice cause there are several favorites thanks to the lovely Caroline Hirons recommendations. I think it’s a complete tie though with Origins and Ren. I have discovered several stand out pieces from both brands. I think Caudalie and Clarins comes in a close runner ups though as they have also some stand out essentials that I don’t think I could ever be without.

Skincare in and of itself – probably not a traditional cosmetic company. Right now, I’m liking the IMAGE skincare line. for face and neck I have extremely sensitive, combination skin prone to dark spots and breakouts. IMAGE seems to keep that under control, provide necessary (although only SPF 15) sunblock, and gets extra points for simply feeling good on the skin (particularly the Vital C line).
If you’re counting body and scalp care, I’d have to say Aveda.

This is a tough one! I am at a toss up between Shiseido and Mario Badescu. I love how gentle Shiseido’s products are and also the light scent they have, but Mario Badescu has some great products for treating acne. I just hate the smell of most of Mario’s products.

Shisheido is my 20+ plus year mainstay but for some reason, right now, my skin needs me to mix it up a bit. I love the way Shisheido products feel – even lighter on the skin than IMAGE. I’ll have to check out Mario Badescu. Have not yet tried them.

I am right there with you. Mario has some great products. Their new Peptide Renewal Creme is my new HG. It’s amazing and the difference it’s made around my eyes overnight is amazing. Their Kiwi & Strawberry scrubs smell like candy and the rest smell meh. Shiseido is a great line and I love the smell of their products but Mario is more affordable. I like the Miracle Worker line from Philosophy too.

For me, it’d definitely be REN. My skin has visibly improved since I began incorporating the brand into my skincare regimen regularly. Clinique also has a couple of products I’d be hard pressed to do without though, namely their Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm and Super Rescue Antioxidant Night moisturizer!

Desert Essence. Cruelty-free, 100% chemical-free, easily accessible… I could go on, and on. It’s also dirt-cheap; I spend less than $100 USD a *year* on product (actually, closer to $50), and it is extremely effective. I’ve had the same regime for a year-and-a-half now, and my skin has *never* looked better (and I’ll be 40 this week).

I’ve tried HE products, but after reading the ingredients, I found that I was paying big bucks for really inexpensive ingredients. Petroleum by-products (ie, mineral oil, etc) & parabens are among the least expensive ingredients available, yet the HE brands have tyhe highest mark-up, and none worked any better than Desert Essence, which I pick up at any health-food store.

I completely agree! I don’t really wear natural makeup, but I’m ALL OVER Dessert Essence, and I make my own oil cleanser (sunflower oil and castor oil) and night moisturizer (avocado oil base with rosehip oil and argan oil). Probably $40 for all of the ingredients.

But the ingredients for the cleanser, that also works brilliantly as a makeup remover, will last me for years. And I’ll get at least a year or two out of the night moisturizer. My skin has never felt better!

Oh dear…only one? Okay, I’m gonna go for it and say Jouviance (a small Canadian company; they only make a few products but the ones they have are darned good). Failing that, maybe Clarins or Origins. No – WAIT! Dermalogica. I’ve only ever had facials using their products and have never made the fairly costly shift to all Dermalogica. And they have a few over-rated ‘stinker’ products like everyone else but they also have some amazing skincare products. Okay – yeah – Dermalogica.

Same here! Dermalogica rocks, though I agree with Mariella’s comment on their occasional over-rated products. Their website is great to steer clear of those thanks to the users’ comments. I just couldn’t do without their Overnight Clearing Gel or PreCleanse oil anymore.

Paul’s Choice. Every product is effective, does exactly what it claims to do, most products are under 20 dollars and all are cruelty free. A close second choice would be Estee Lauder. Some really innovative serums and great sunscreens & cleansers.

When you say one skincare for the rest of your life, I immediately think about moisturizers! 🙂 Since clenasers and toners are easy to find… That being said, Caudalie would be my usual choice, but for acne times Bioderma is the second runner!

Only 1????!!!!
Impossible! I don’t think anyone only uses 1 line.
My HGs have changed over the years but for the last while I have been mostly using the Dior line along with some Guerlain, some Nars, some Mac, and some La Roche Posay.

Wow, tough question. I’d have to at least make a caveat that I could count sunscreen separately, because none of the companies whose skin care products I use make one that is really effective for me.

With that out of the way, it’s a tough race between Korres, Skyn Iceland and Nuxe. I use products from all three regularly. But if I had to choose only one? I think I’d go with Nuxe, since they have the broadest range of products that work well on me.

This is hard because I have such sensitive skin that can react badly to one product within a line and absolutely love another. If I had to choose, I would go with Clarins, since I haven’t had a single problem with any of their products I’ve tried thus far. I don’t know the entire line, but I’ve tried several products and have even incorporated a few of them into my current routine. I would feel comfortable being limited to just their line at this point. Such an interesting question! I had to really think about this one. 😛

If you don't see your comment yet, it's still in our moderation queue. We try our best to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind. Thank you for your patience!